The drama surrounding the Iâm A Celebrity⊠Get Me Out of Here! finale hit a new boiling point during the live broadcast of the explosive All Stars edition on Friday night. With nearly three million viewers tuned in, what unfolded on stage was nothing short of a scandalous spectacle, plunging the evening into chaos. It was a moment that shocked even the most seasoned fans: former footballer Jimmy Bullard, with the live cameras rolling, used the occasion to publicly call out Adam Thomas, the Waterloo Road actor who had just been crowned King of the Jungle, accusing him of intimidating behaviour and using offensive language, including the infamous âc-word.â
The eruption didnât stop there. As the drama escalated, Iâm A Celeb hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were dragged into the mayhem, trying desperately to defuse the situation. But things took a turn for the worse when boxer David Haye joined the fray, accusing ITV of deliberately manipulating the editing of the show to paint Adam as a victim to ensure he won the crown. The backlash was swift, and whispers about behind-the-scenes interference and favouritism at ITV grew louder.
But what viewers didnât seeâat least not on cameraâwas the real drama happening during the ad breaks. Multiple sources, including audience members at the Versa Studios in Acton, London, revealed that tensions were running far deeper than the televised spat. According to insiders, Ant, Dec, and Jimmy Bullard were embroiled in heated arguments during the breaks, with Dec reportedly engaging in a âfull-on argumentâ with Bullard while Ant stormed off to take a break, venting his frustration about the âmessâ the night had turned into.
Behind the Scenes Chaos: A Full-Scale Meltdown
As the live broadcast continued to unfold, security was called into action to manage the increasingly volatile situation. During one of the ad breaks, sources close to the action say Dec and Bullard exchanged harsh words, with Dec becoming visibly agitated. The tension in the room was palpable. “They were arguing, and thatâs when the security guards came in,” one audience member reported. “Dec was rowing with Jimmy, and Ant stormed off to have a vape, saying what a mess it had all turned into. Those in the audience couldnât believe it.”
But the chaos wasnât confined to just Bullard and the hosts. Boxer David Haye, another Iâm A Celeb contestant, was seen attempting to provoke Adam Thomas further by tapping him on the shoulder during the live broadcast, seemingly trying to incite a confrontation. The audience, however, wasnât on Hayeâs side, with several viewers chanting âbullyâ in response to his actions. The whole spectacle left Ant and Dec in a state of disbelief, with sources describing the evening as âchaos like you wouldnât believe.â
While the men were at each other’s throats, it wasnât just the male contestants causing drama. 80s pop star Sinitta and reality TV star Gemma Collins also had their own confrontation backstage. According to sources, they too got into an argument during the broadcast and subsequently fled the stage, adding to the madness that was unfolding. Despite the tension, Gemma later returned and was seen hugging Sinitta on the sofa during a calm moment in the spin-off show, much to the relief of viewers who had seen only the fallout from their disagreement.
The Aftermath: Adam Thomasâ Victory in the Spotlight
The scene was set for Adam Thomas to claim his crown as the ultimate Iâm A Celeb All Star. But the victory felt bittersweet. After being crowned King of the Jungle, Adam chose not to appear on the Iâm A Celeb spin-off show that followed the finale. Sources revealed that Adam, accompanied by his wife Caroline and his older brother Ryan, left the studio as soon as the cameras stopped rolling, opting for a quiet exit away from the chaos. This decision raised eyebrows, and speculation swirled about the reasons behind Adamâs avoidance of the post-finale appearances.
Why ITV Cut the Footage: The Agent Connection That Raised Eyebrows
While viewers watched the fireworks unfold on-screen, many were left scratching their heads about ITVâs decision to heavily edit the footage. Bullardâs fury centered around the fact that ITV had seemingly omitted crucial moments of the confrontation, particularly the foul-mouthed insults Adam allegedly hurled at him. âYou didnât show none of the c-bombs, thatâs a liberty!â Bullard raged on live TV, accusing ITV of editing the scenes to protect Adam and portraying him in a more favourable light.
Ant defended Adam, claiming that the language used was âunbroadcastable,â but sources close to Bullard have voiced their anger over ITVâs decision to side with Adam. âItâs so blatant. The moves to protect Adam have been so obvious,â a friend of Bullardâs said. âThe last thing Mr. Lygo [Madison Lygo, Adamâs agent and daughter of ITV’s managing director] would want is to damage the reputation of his daughterâs star client, so of course, they cut out his aggressive behaviour.â
This revelation has only fueled suspicions about the close connections between ITVâs top brass and Adamâs agent, Madison Lygo, who has been managing the actorâs career for years. The claim that ITV might have deliberately tailored the edit to protect Adam from public backlash has ignited a storm of controversy. However, ITV has denied any suggestions of favouritism, stating that the decision to cut the scenes was made in the interest of upholding broadcast standards.
The Impact on ITV and the Future of Iâm A Celeb
The drama surrounding the Iâm A Celeb finale has undoubtedly shaken ITV to its core. While some at the network are thrilled by the column inches the controversy has generated, others are âdeeply fearfulâ that the show has crossed a line. Fans, meanwhile, have voiced their concerns about the future of the series, with many hoping that the show can return to its roots as a light-hearted entertainment fixture rather than becoming a platform for more dark, explosive feuds.
An ITV spokesperson denied any ill-intent, claiming that Dec did not argue with Jimmy during the breaks and that the âopen and honestâ conversation between Gemma and Sinitta was misrepresented. As for Antâs alleged remark about the show being a âs***show,â the spokesperson clarified that it was not said.
But regardless of what happens next, one thing is clear: the Iâm A Celeb finale has left an indelible mark on viewers, and the fallout from the explosive events will likely continue to haunt the show for some time. As ITV prepares for future series, they will need to carefully consider how to balance the allure of drama with the expectations of their loyal audience. For now, however, the whispers and rumours surrounding Adam Thomas, Jimmy Bullard, and the behind-the-scenes chaos will likely keep fans hooked and eager for more.


